Breast Cancer International trains nurses in Oncology
Breast Care International (BCI), a Kumasi-based breast cancer awareness NGO, has began a training course on Oncology, for nurses in public health institutions at its Peace and Love Hospital in Oduom, near Kumasi.
The training programme is being undertaken in collaboration with the National Cancer Coalition (NCC) of the United States of America (USA), with sponsorship from the Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals also in the USA.
It is aimed at equipping nurses in the country with the basic knowledge and skills, to diagnose cancers early at the district levels and know when to refer patients for treatment.
The first batch of 20 trainees from 20 districts in the country was on Thursday ushered into the programme at a ceremony in Kumasi.
They will undergo a three-day training of basic procedures in detecting breast and other cancers in women and refer patients early for treatment at appropriate hospitals.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive of BCI, said late detection and presentation of breast cancers is a major challenge to the fight against the disease.
It is therefore important to train more nurses at the district levels to offer regular examination on women, who visit health facilities, to help in the early detection of the disease and offer counselling services for them to seek treatment.
Dr Wiafe Addai, who is also the Chief Executive of Peace and Love Hospital, said through the support of NCC, BCI has donated cancer medications worth more than 22 million dollars to the Ghana Health Service and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Dr Tom Roane, Vice President of NCC, said the training programme is a component of the NCC’s Women Cancer Initiative that seeks to secure modern therapies and technologies to address cervical, breast and ovarian cancers in developing countries.
He commended the management of BCI for their unwavering efforts to reduce breast cancer cases in Ghana.
Madam Augustina Gyamfi, Ashanti Regional Director of Women and Children Affairs, commended BCI and NCC for collaborating to provide not only quality cancer drugs but also venturing into Oncology training for nurses to promote early detection of the disease in the country.
She said the government is committed to providing the best and most complete healthcare solutions to the people.
Mr Afrifa Yamoah Ponko, Ashanti Regional Manager of NHIA, debunked claims in certain quarters that the national health insurance scheme is collapsing and said the scheme is on course.
Source: GNA